Real Madrid vs Benfica Live: Champions League Second Leg Underway at the Bernabéu — 0-0
Real Madrid vs Benfica is live right now at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Kick-off came at 3:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 25, with Real Madrid carrying a 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in Lisbon. The second leg of this UEFA Champions League playoff tie has just begun and a place in the round of 16 is on the line.
Current Live Score: Real Madrid 0-0 Benfica
Aggregate: Real Madrid lead 1-0
The match is currently in the first half, with the score 0-0. Real Madrid need only to avoid losing by two goals or more to advance on aggregate. Benfica must score twice — without reply — to eliminate the 15-time European champions.
Confirmed Starting Lineups Tonight
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Valverde, Güler; García, Vinícius. Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, Araújo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Barreiro, Silva; Aursnes, Schjelderup, Pavlidis.
Notable absentees on the night are significant for both sides. Unavailable for Real Madrid are Rodrygo (suspension), Kylian Mbappé (injury), Éder Militão (injury), Jude Bellingham (injury), Dani Ceballos (injury), and Dean Huijsen (injury). Benfica are without José Mourinho (suspension), Gianluca Prestianni (suspension), João Veloso (injury), and Samuel Soares (injury).
The Context: What Each Team Needs to Advance
Real Madrid hold the upper hand thanks to Vinícius Jr.'s stunning strike in Lisbon on February 17. Alvaro Arbeloa's side has Vinícius Junior to thank for its slim margin, after the Brazilian worked his magic and scored a wondergoal in Lisbon last week. The moment was quickly marred when Benfica winger Gianlanca Prestianni allegedly racially abused Vinícius just before the game was set to restart after the goal.
Benfica's manager José Mourinho — the former Real Madrid boss — was sent off in the first leg and serves his touchline ban tonight, adding another layer of drama to an already charged tie.
Where to Watch Real Madrid vs Benfica Live Right Now
In the United States, the Real Madrid vs Benfica second leg is live on Paramount+ and TUDN. In Canada, viewers can watch on DAZN and fuboTV. In the UK, the match is on TNT Sports and discovery+.
This Season's Meetings Between Real Madrid and Benfica
The two clubs have already met three times this season, producing some of the most dramatic moments in this year's Champions League. In January, Benfica beat Real Madrid 4-2 in a chaotic league phase match where goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a stunning header in stoppage time to clinch Benfica's place in the playoffs. Real Madrid then reversed that narrative in the first leg of this playoff, winning 1-0 in Lisbon.
Refresh this page for the latest live score updates as Real Madrid vs Benfica continues at the Bernabéu. The round of 16 draw takes place on Friday — and only one of these clubs will be in it.
